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sustainability at the heart of sport
After an engaging and action-packed three-days focused on ‘Athlete-Centred Sport’ at the 13th International Federations (IF) Forum in Lausanne, Wednesday’s, discussions turned towards another globally-pressing topic: sustainability.
Almost 70 IFs attended the Sustainability Workshop organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with the support of GAISF, which concentrated on topics such as climate change, plastic pollution, and sustainable events. Nineteen sustainability case studies were launched at the event, increasing the total number within the series to almost 80.
At the Workshop, speakers from several GAISF Members, as well as Paris 2024, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and The Ocean Race, delivered presentations on their own ongoing sustainability initiatives.
Opening the Sustainability Conference, GAISF President, Raffaele Chiulli said:
“If we are to remain credible and relevant, we need to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in leading towards a more sustainable future in sport and for humanity.
“People look to sport to be leader of change. Our athletes are role models and we should be too in the way we run our sports.”
Sustainability is at the heart of GAISF who live by this ethos every day in all aspects of its work. As the United Voice of Sports, GAISF is committed to leading by example and supporting IFs in developing their sports towards a more sustainable future.
GAISF is a member of the Sport for Climate Action Framework which, alongside the IOC, is working towards the two overarching goals of achieving a clear trajectory for the global sports community to combat climate change through commitments and partnerships. This year, senior GAISF representatives attended the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework signatory meeting and Workshop, working with other signatories to fight climate change.
In full collaboration with the IOC, GAISF has also joined the United Nations’ Clean Seas Campaign. Launched by the UN in January 2017, the Clean Seas Campaign is an initiative to increase global awareness of marine litter and address waste management issues.
Last month, GAISF launched its own Sustainability Award to incentivise its members to use their platform as sports organisations to make a significant contribution towards combatting global climate change.
The deadline for members to submit their application for the 2020 Sustainability Award is 31 January 2020.
To find out more about GAISF’s Sustainability Award, click here.